2023 McHenry County, Illinois Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering McHenry County, Illinois, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

McHenry County, Illinois Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
311,366
Median Age
40.4 years
Median Household Income
$102,836
Bachelor's Degree+
35.19%
Uninsured Rate
4.7%
Total Households
116,329
Total Workers
165,901
Citizenship Rate
95.8%
Total Veterans
13,223
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Families in Poverty
3,463
SNAP Recipients
6.84%
Households w/ SNAP
7,953

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of McHenry County, Illinois by age group and gender, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of McHenry County, Illinois is 311,366. The median age of the population in McHenry County, Illinois is 40.4 years. The median age for males is 39.7 years, and for females it is 41.5 years.

The age distribution of the population in McHenry County, Illinois by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 5.31%
5–17 years (children) 17.71%
18–24 years (young adults) 8.13%
25–34 years 11.54%
35–54 years 26.79%
55–64 years 14.61%
65 years and over (seniors) 15.91%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in McHenry County, Illinois

The total dependency ratio in McHenry County, Illinois is 63.72. The youth dependency ratio is 37.68, and the old-age dependency ratio is 26.05. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated ZIP Codes in McHenry County, Illinois, including Crystal Lake (60014) (48,383), Barrington (60010) (45,970), and Woodstock (60098) (33,307).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of McHenry County, Illinois?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for McHenry County, Illinois
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of McHenry County, Illinois is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for McHenry County, Illinois is calculated at 38.18, suggesting a low level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of McHenry County, Illinois by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 76.94%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 15.59%
Two or More Races 2.88%
Asian Alone 2.83%
Black/African American Alone 1.45%
Some Other Race Alone 0.25%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.05%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.00%

McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in McHenry County, Illinois.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in McHenry County, Illinois over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $102,836. This figure is based on a total of 116,329 households.

The distribution of household income in McHenry County, Illinois across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 6.20%
$20,000 to $34,999 6.59%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.22%
$50,000 to $74,999 13.99%
$75,000 to $149,999 35.21%
$150,000 or more 29.80%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the ZIP Codes with the highest median household income in McHenry County, Illinois, explore the data for: Barrington (60010) ($175,050), Crystal Lake (60012) ($147,352), and Algonquin (60102) ($128,070).


McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in McHenry County, Illinois.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in McHenry County, Illinois is based on a total of 96,063 properties.

The property value distribution in McHenry County, Illinois across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 1.35%
$25,000 to $49,999 0.97%
$50,000 to $99,999 1.46%
$100,000 to $199,999 17.57%
$200,000 to $499,999 70.70%
$500,000 to $999,999 7.66%
$1,000,000 or more 0.30%

Educational Attainment in McHenry County, Illinois (2023 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in McHenry County, Illinois.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in McHenry County, Illinois, totaling 214,389 individuals.

93.72% of McHenry County, Illinois population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 35.19%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 6.28%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 26.88%
Some college or associate's degree 31.65%
Bachelor's Degree 23.29%
Graduate or professional degree 11.90%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in McHenry County, Illinois?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in McHenry County, Illinois.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for McHenry County, Illinois shows that 4.7% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 14,487 individuals out of a total population of 309,787 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 10.7% for males and 5.8% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 6.4% of males and 4.9% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In McHenry County, Illinois, uninsured rates for children are 3.1% for males and 3.1% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.3% for males and 0.2% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 3.1% 3.1%
18-34 years 10.7% 5.8%
35-64 years 6.4% 4.9%
65+ years 0.3% 0.2%

McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in McHenry County, Illinois based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for McHenry County, Illinois shows that 95.8% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 298,239 individuals out of a total population of 311,366 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 90.0% were born in the United States, 0.2% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 0.6% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 5.0% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (15,698 individuals), while 4.2% are non-citizens (13,127 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 90.0%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 0.2%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 0.6%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 5.0%
Not a U.S. citizen 4.2%
Total U.S. Citizens 95.8%

McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in McHenry County, Illinois.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for McHenry County, Illinois show that 82.0% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 133,985 workers out of a total workforce of 163,365 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 1.4% (2,278 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (1.0%) and bicycling (0.1%).

14.7% of workers in McHenry County, Illinois report working from home. An additional 0.8% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 82.0% 133,985
Public transportation 1.4% 2,278
Bicycle 0.1% 99
Walked 1.0% 1,622
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 0.8% 1,368
Worked from home 14.7% 24,013
Total Workers - 163,365

McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in McHenry County, Illinois, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in McHenry County, Illinois totals 165,901 workers. Of these, 88,748 (53.5%) are male and 77,153 (46.5%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in McHenry County, Illinois is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 72,797 (43.9%) 54,841 (33.1%)
Private Non-Profit 3,234 (1.9%) 7,245 (4.4%)
Government (All Levels) 9,075 (5.5%) 11,954 (7.2%)
  • Local Government 7,081 9,555
  • State Government 914 1,461
  • Federal Government 1,080 938
Self-Employed 3,445 (2.1%) 2,837 (1.7%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of McHenry County, Illinois.


McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in McHenry County, Illinois, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 13,223 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in McHenry County, Illinois.

The largest group of veterans served during Vietnam Era Only, accounting for 4,790 veterans (36.2% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Post-9/11 Only, with 2,085 veterans (15.8%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in McHenry County, Illinois is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 4,790 36.2%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 2,085 15.8%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 1,918 14.5%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 1,641 12.4%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 877 6.6%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 863 6.5%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 594 4.5%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 221 1.7%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 99 0.7%
Between Korean War and World War II 93 0.7%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 25 0.2%
Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II 14 0.1%
Korean War and World War II 3 0.0%
Total Veterans 13,223 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in McHenry County, Illinois, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 84,313 families in McHenry County, Illinois.

Of these families, 3,463 (4.1%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 17,797 families (21.1%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 63,053 families (74.8%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in McHenry County, Illinois is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 1,321 1.6%
50-74% of Poverty 1,162 1.4%
75-99% of Poverty 980 1.2%
100-124% of Poverty 1,253 1.5%
125-149% of Poverty 1,647 2.0%
150-174% of Poverty 1,787 2.1%
175-184% of Poverty 704 0.8%
185-199% of Poverty 1,010 1.2%
200-299% of Poverty 11,396 13.5%
300-399% of Poverty 12,291 14.6%
400-499% of Poverty 10,952 13.0%
500%+ of Poverty 39,810 47.2%
Total Families 84,313 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


McHenry County, Illinois 2023 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in McHenry County, Illinois, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 116,329 total households in McHenry County, Illinois. Of these, 7,953 households (6.84%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 4,009 (50.41%) have children under 18 years, while 3,944 (49.59%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in McHenry County, Illinois, 2023
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 1,618 (20.34%) 751 (9.44%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 383 (4.82%) 424 (5.33%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 1,974 (24.82%) 695 (8.74%)
Nonfamily Households 34 (0.43%) 2,074 (26.08%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in McHenry County, Illinois. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of McHenry County, Illinois is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years5.31%
5–17 years (children)17.71%
18–24 years (young adults)8.13%
25–34 years11.54%
35–54 years26.79%
55–64 years14.61%
65 years and over (seniors)15.91%

The racial and ethnic composition of McHenry County, Illinois is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 76.94%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 15.59%, Two or More Races: 2.88%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in McHenry County, Illinois is $102,836. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in McHenry County, Illinois is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 6.20%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 6.59%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 8.22%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 13.99%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 35.21%, High Income ($150,000+): 29.80%.

Approximately 51.50% of households in McHenry County, Illinois earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in McHenry County, Illinois is: Less than $25,000: 1.35%, $25,000-$49,999: 0.97%, $50,000-$99,999: 1.46%, $100,000-$199,999: 17.57%, $200,000-$499,999: 70.70%, $500,000-$999,999: 7.66%, $1,000,000 or more: 0.30%.

There are 96,063 owner-occupied housing units in McHenry County, Illinois. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 7.96% of owner-occupied housing units in McHenry County, Illinois are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 35.19% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for McHenry County, Illinois (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 6.28%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 26.88%, Some college or associate's degree: 31.65%, Bachelor's degree: 23.29%, Graduate or professional degree: 11.90%.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 93.72% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 4.7% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 14,487 individuals out of a total population of 309,787 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in McHenry County, Illinois. For young adults (18-34 years), 10.7% of males and 5.8% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 6.4% of males and 4.9% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in McHenry County, Illinois have uninsured rates of 3.1% for males and 3.1% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.3% for males and 0.2% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 95.8% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 311,366 people, 298,239 are U.S. citizens.

McHenry County, Illinois has 15,698 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 5.0% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for McHenry County, Illinois is: 90.0% were born in the United States, 0.2% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 0.6% were born abroad of American parent(s), 5.0% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 4.2% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 82.0% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 163,365 total workers, 133,985 use personal vehicles for their commute.

2,278 workers in McHenry County, Illinois use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 1.4% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in McHenry County, Illinois include: 14.7% work from home, 1.0% walk to work, 0.1% bicycle, and 0.8% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in McHenry County, Illinois. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, McHenry County, Illinois has 165,901 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 43.9% of male workers and 33.1% of female workers in this category.

In McHenry County, Illinois, there are 9,075 male government workers and 11,954 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 5.5% of male workers and 7.2% of female workers.

Self-employment in McHenry County, Illinois includes 3,445 males (2.1%) and 2,837 females (1.7%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 7,953 households (6.84% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 116,329 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in McHenry County, Illinois, 4,009 (50.41%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in McHenry County, Illinois include diverse household types. Among households with children, 1,974 (24.82%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 1,618 (20.34%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In McHenry County, Illinois, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 13,223 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in McHenry County, Illinois. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in McHenry County, Illinois is Vietnam Era Only, with 4,790 veterans (36.2% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Post-9/11 Only, with 2,085 veterans (15.8%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in McHenry County, Illinois provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 50.1% of all veterans in McHenry County, Illinois. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 6,631 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 3,463 families (4.1% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 84,313 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In McHenry County, Illinois, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, McHenry County, Illinois has 17,797 families (21.1%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 4,687 families (5.6%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In McHenry County, Illinois, 1,321 families (1.6%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 63,053 families (74.8%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.